MIKE SCHMID admits the next two showdowns against Tynedale and Blackheath could decide Esher’s title fate.

The National League One front-runners roared to a 47-12 victory over Wharfedale last weekend to clock up a ninth straight victory.

But director of rugby Schmid insists the title race will go to the wire as London Scottish kept up the challenge with a nail biting 31-30 win at Blackheath to remain five points behind.

Now Schmid has told his table-toppers to expect a real battle against in-form Tynedale at Molesey Road on Saturday and at Blackheath a week later.

Northumbrian side Tynedale have chalked up eight wins from nine with their only defeat coming in a narrow reverse at London Scottish.

They also raced in five tries in a 42-27 defeat to Esher last October to become the only side to collect a try-scoring bonus point against the title favourites.

It all sets the stage for a mouth-watering showdown at Esher. Schmid admitted: “It’s going to be a tough two weeks and Tynedale are in a terrific run of form.

“They were very strong against us up there and scored some good tries, so we know it’s going to be one of our hardest games of the season. The next two weeks are going to be exceptionally tough but if we can get through them it will put us in a fantastic position.

“We are expecting London Scottish to take the title chase down to the wire and we know we can’t afford to slip-up.

“But we can’t look past any team in this division. There are a lot of tricky fixtures left and we have just got to focus on our own performance.”

Schmid admits Esher were guilty of complacency for parts of their seven-try victory over Wharfedale on Saturday.

The home side rattled up three quick tries from Seb Jewell, Shawn Renwick and Sam Ulph only to go off the boil as Wharfedale hit back with two scores before half-time.

Schmid conceded: “Perhaps we were our own worst enemies after scoring three tries in the first 12 minutes or so.

“We then became a bit complacent and mentally lazy and we started to make too many mistakes. But we tightened things up after half-time again and showed our character and mental strength.

“But I wasn’t happy with that first half. It was the worst half of rugby we have played for a while. But the boys know that because they set themselves high standards.”

Further tries from Ulph, who added 12 points with the boot, Garrick Cowley, Rod Turner and Renwick completed an 18th win from 19.

But Schmid was delighted with another impressive display from the pack while centre Jewell was the pick of the backs.

Esher hope to be boosted by the return of second rowers James Inglis and Paul Barker for the clash with Tynedale.

Inglis has been out with a toe injury sustained in the win at London Scottish while Barker was absent due to work commitments.

Ross Chisholm could also be available but Joe Marler and Sam Smith are still with England Under-20s while wing Tom Loizides is also still out.